There are a lot of misconceptions about lab grown diamonds, including how they are made and whether or not they are “real” diamonds. A mined diamond takes billions of years to form in the centre of the earth, under high pressure and temperatures. They are then pushed closer to the surface in rocks where they can be mined, extracted, cut and shaped.
In contrast, a lab-grown diamond can be made in a matter of weeks. Scientists have found a way to replicate the process in a lab, allowing us to take complete control over the diamond production process and make diamonds more accessible to more people.
There are many myths around lab made diamonds as many people still believe that it is the rarity and age of a mined diamond that makes it so special. But when we consider that lab made diamonds are structurally identical and indistinguishable from mined diamonds, it begs the question: why are we still paying above the odds for mined diamonds?
In this blog, we’ll explore five of the most popular reasons you might want to consider choosing a lab grown diamond for jewellery, including engagement rings.
1. Lab grown diamonds are cheaper
Perhaps the most popular reason that individuals turn to a lab grown diamond is that it is far cheaper than a mined diamond. To be more specific, you can expect to pay around 40-60% less for a lab made diamond.
This means you can either save money for more important milestones, or you can put the extra funds into an even larger diamond. If you know your partner likes to flash their possessions and values bigger and better, then a lab grown diamond offers an easy way to get an even bigger rock on their finger.
2. Lab grown diamonds are ethical and sustainable
Mining takes up a lot of fossil fuels and is bad for the environment. There are also ethical questions about the type of labour used to extract diamonds from the earth. Diamond mining is often linked to human rights abuses and even child labour. In some parts of the world, diamonds help to fund conflict and war.
By choosing a lab grown diamond, you are making an ethical and sustainable choice. It’s far easier to trace the origins of a lab grown diamond, and you can be confident that it is not made using exploitation.
3. Lab grown diamonds offer superior quality
Diamonds mined from the earth were all made billions of years ago. This means we have no control over the finished product and simply have to see what we can find. Any impurities that were present in the carbon when the diamond was formed will be seen in inclusions that impact the clarity of the diamond, and this can mean less sparkle.
With a lab made diamond, we control what goes into the diamond, so we have more control over what comes out. In general, lab grown diamonds have a better grading for the colour and clarity. These are often things you’ll need to compromise on if you’re shopping for a mined diamond on a budget.
4. You won’t tell the difference
Lab grown diamonds are compositionally identical to mined diamonds. Only a jeweller could tell the difference under a microscope, so the chances of a stranger on the street knowing if you’re wearing a mined diamond or a lab grown diamond is very low.
People often fear that their diamond will be considered “fake” if it is grown in a lab, but this isn’t the case. It’s still a diamond, it’s just a lab grown one. The fact that it was grown in a lab will be mentioned on the diamond certification.
5. You can find rare stones for less
Certain compounds that may be present during the diamond formation process will result in unique colours, including pink, blue and yellow diamonds. These diamonds are incredibly rare, and they may be very limited in the choice of cut and size.
However, by choosing a lab grown diamond, you’ll have more flexibility over the cut, colour and carat. And stones that would be incredibly expensive due to their rarity will be available for a fraction of the cost if you choose a lab-grown diamond.
